Neighbors oppose ex-inmate home

A proposed group home for former women inmates has riled the people who would be their neighbors. Residents want the Oak Ridge Board of Zoning Appeals to reject the project tonight.

By John Huotari | john.huotari@oakridger.com

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By John Huotari | john.huotari@oakridger.com

Posted Sep. 9, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 9, 2008 at 9:01 AM

By John Huotari | john.huotari@oakridger.com

Posted Sep. 9, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 9, 2008 at 9:01 AM

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.

A proposed group home for former women inmates has riled the people who would be their neighbors. Residents want the Oak Ridge Board of Zoning Appeals to reject the project tonight.

The group home would be at 102 Norwood Lane, on a short cul-de-sac off New York Avenue, and would be operated by Alpha House Inc., a faith-based nonprofit organization.

"Alpha House recognizes that the cycle of crime can be reduced when women who have been incarcerated have assistance readjusting to society," said Oliver Springs resident Teddi S. Dison, Alpha House program director. "To that end, Alpha House provides room and board, transportation, job referrals, life-skills counseling, and drug and alcohol counseling referrals to help former offenders make a successful transition back into the community."

Alpha House has asked the Oak Ridge Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception to allow the house at the Norwood Lane home, which is owned by Kenneth "Ray" Henson. The board meets at 5:30 p.m. today in the Municipal Building Courtroom.

The Oak Ridge city staff raises concerns about the Alpha House proposal, saying the conversion of Henson's home would not preserve or promote the character of the surrounding single-family residential district, and would hurt the resale value of the home, among other things. If the exception is approved, the staff wants to impose certain conditions, saying, for example, that only four adults should live in the house and the applicant must live there full time.

In a letter to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Henson said the Alpha House ministry is "dedicated to the welfare of women and will benefit Oak Ridge and the surrounding counties."

She said she is confident that the group's co-founders "have taken every consideration into account for the safety and welfare of our community and will, with great responsibility and due care, guard not only the welfare of the residents of Alpha House, but of the residents of Norwood Lane, and the citizenry of Oak Ridge."

Residents near the proposed group home have said the facility could lower their property values, raise concerns about safety, and cause parking, traffic and noise problems. The residents have been calling city hall and e-mailing city staff members and officials to voice their opposition.

"This is a neighborhood of older people, and we should not have to worry about something like this coming on our street," Norwood Lane resident Mildred Bailey wrote in an e-mail to Oak Ridge City Council members.

"As you know, this is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods, especially in the spring, and one of the most festive during the holidays," Norris Lane resident Saylor B. Hummel wrote to Oak Ridge Community Development Division Manager Monica Austin. "The value of our property would depreciate tremendously if such a residence were allowed in our neighborhood."